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With school admissions season just around the corner, the Jakarta administration is trying to dismiss concerns about inequities in the education system, in particular concerning international-standard schools.

“The schools managed by the Jakarta provincial government do not emphasize the financial background of students, so students may not be excluded from state- run schools just because they can’t afford to pay,” said Taufik Yudi Mulyanto, from Jakarta’s education office.

International-standard schools, or RSBI, have since 2011 been required to set aside 20 percent of seats for underprivileged children, Taufik said. And it is understood, he said, that the fees for that 20 percent will be lower than those paid by their peers.

“So it’s not a case of rich students getting in while less-well-off students are refused admission,” he said.

“Instead, we look at their academic abilities. If they’re not in accordance with international standards, then maybe they will not be accepted.”

But last year the chairman of the Alliance of Parents Concerned About Education, Jumono, said that most RSBI schools failed to inform parents about the 20 percent quota.

And, he added, many parents will not consider sending their children to RSBI schools because they fear unofficial charges and fees for extracurricular activities will add up even if they secure a subsidized place.

RSBI schools receive more funding from the government than ordinary public schools. They are also allowed to charge higher fees than other public schools.

There are 1,329 schools across the country in the RSBI program, from elementary schools to high schools. RSBI schools typically have more diverse curricula and fewer students in each class.

Responding to complaints that few RSBI schools actively implement the 20 percent rule, Taufik said the education office would send officials to each school to check their list of incoming students.

Any school that fails to live up to the rule will be sent a warning letter, he said. If it ignores the letter and continues to refuse entry to low-income students, he said, the school will be hit with administrative sanctions.